Memory Care in Arizona

When people picture an ideal retirement scenario, Arizona is often what comes to mind. “The Grand Canyon State” has an abundance of warm, dry weather — which means anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies or asthma will find relief in Arizona’s desert climate — and its almost otherworldly natural landscapes provide countless opportunities for outdoor activities, exercise, and serenity. The trails throughout national parks like Saguaro and Petrified Forest capture the rugged mystique of the Southwest, and don’t worry, there’s no shortage of golf courses. Plus, considering the state doesn’t tax residents on social security income, it’s clear why so many Americans find peace of mind — and body — while retiring in Arizona.

As you consider options for memory care, Arizona deserves to be at the top of the list. Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 500 senior living communities in Arizona that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Arizona is about $5,200.

Memory care facilities are a specialized type of care community that caters to people with a dementia diagnosis. In Arizona, memory care facilities are licensed as a type of assisted living facility that provides “directed care services.” Directed care means the resident not only needs personal care and supervision, but they also need help with recognizing danger, asking for help, and making their own care decisions. Directed care caregivers are trained to make holistic care decisions since dementia makes it hard for seniors to care for themselves.

Additionally, people with dementia often have serious and chronic health issues so memory care facilities in Arizona can provide on-site nursing services to residents. Residents may also hire their own nurses or caregivers to work with them on-site in the memory care community. However, memory care staff are still required to keep an up-to-date care plan for each resident, whether the resident has their own nurse or not. This care plan should outline every resident’s personal and medical care needs, including all the medications and treatments they require.

Unlike some states, Arizona doesn’t require advanced dementia care training for directed care staff at memory care facilities. However, directed care staff are required to have at least an “overview” of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to understand the related symptoms and behaviors. Because they’re making care decisions for residents, directed care caregivers in Arizona need twice the hours of training as caregivers who only provide supervision. Directed care caregivers in Arizona need a total of 62 hours of training that covers the supervision, personal care, and directed care of residents.

Here are some other staff requirements for staff at Arizona’s memory care facilities:

• All staff must be trained in CPR and first aid.
• Caregiving staff must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum of three months of health-related work experience.
• Assistant caregivers must be at least 16 years of age.
• Managers should be over the age of 21, certified to run an assisted living facility, and have at least eight hours of additional training.
• All staff must have six hours of annual training related to supporting resident dignity, independence, privacy, and freedom of choice.

Memory care facilities in Arizona must adhere to advanced building code standards since they’re considered specialized health care facilities. Here are some of the memory care facility building standards in Arizona:

• Facilities must be clean and hygienic and meet all current health and safety codes for health care provider facilities.
• Facilities must have security controls for residents who could potentially wander off campus.
• Facilities should offer secured and safe access to outside courtyard areas of the campus in order for residents to walk around safely.
• Private bedrooms must be a minimum of 80 square feet, and shared bedrooms must provide at least 60 square feet per resident, not including a closet or bathroom. Only two residents are allowed per shared room.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) licenses the state’s assisted living and memory care facilities. They conduct regular, unannounced inspections, typically every two years or more if there are violation complaints from residents. If a memory care facility is contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), then the facility will also receive yearly inspections from the CMS.

Arizona Department of Health contact information

150 North 18th Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Phone: 602-542-1025

Fax: 602-542-0883

Violations

You can look up inspection reports for assisted living facilities that provide memory care in Arizona using the Arizona Department of Health’s Assisted Living Provider Search. This search will provide you with a prospective facility’s inspection history, violation history, and any enforcement action that the ADHS has had to take against a facility. Check out the ADHS Tips for Successful Searching page to make sure you find all you’re looking for in your prospective memory care facility.